Image caption Environmental protesters wore green ribbons at the rally
Protesters in Thailand have staged one of the country's biggest demonstrations since the 2014 military coup as they campaign against a luxury housing development on forested land.
More than 1,000 people gathered in the northern city of Chiang Mai.
They rallied against a housing project being built for judges and officials in the foothills of a sacred mountain.
The march went ahead in defiance of a ban on public gatherings imposed by the junta, which seized power in 2014.
"Around 1,250 people took part in the protest," Police Colonel Paisan, deputy commander of Chiang Mai Police, told Reuters news agency.
"The protesters were focused on environmental issues and not politics, and they cleaned the street afterwards."
Image caption Demonstrators held a placard showing an aerial view of the development
Demonstrators, many wearing green ribbons, demanded the dismantling of new buildings that encroach into the mountain, Doi Suthep. The forested area contains a popular temple and is considered by some to be sacred.
They gave the government seven days to comply or face more protests.
But the authorities have defended the development, insisting it was erected legally on government-owned land that does not infringe on the national park covering the rest of the mountain.
About 1 billion baht ($32 million; £23 million) has been spent on the project, which includes offices as well as housing, and it is nearly complete, according to the Bangkok Post.
Anger over the construction comes amid growing frustration about special treatment for Thai elites and officials.
prionvariant on April 30th, 2018 at 17:37 UTC »
Royal Thai Air Force had built a fucking golf course in Khao Yai, a monumental natural habitat. Good thing that the animals overrun and they have to abandon it.
MichieD on April 30th, 2018 at 16:07 UTC »
I drove out of Chiang Mai in the early morning to get to the airport yesterday (when this was beginning to happen). It was packed. Initially I thought it was some bike race because there were a lot of people on bikes for whatever reason, but my driver explained what was happening.
Previous to that there were signs all around the city promoting this demonstration but since it was in Thai I didn’t realize what it was for.
Good for them and hopefully their voices are heard.
tms1981 on April 30th, 2018 at 14:33 UTC »
Yes! Give hell! Keep the trees!